News from UC Davis Medical Center

March 2021

Colorectal cancer is a new threat to young adults (video)

March 2, 2021

Colorectal cancer is now a leading cause of cancer death among people under 50, with rates of new diagnoses rising. Young mother and cancer survivor Teri Rivera was told she was too young to have colon cancer and is glad she listened to her body after finally getting screened, only to find out her cancer was stage III.

First stem cell clinical trial for spina bifida treatment announced

March 1, 2021

A UC Davis Health team today announced the launch of the world’s first FDA-approved human clinical trial to treat the most serious form of spina bifida. The trial involves the use of stem cells, applied during a surgery before birth.

February 2021

Casey Dyke lives normal teen life after 12 surgeries for tricuspid atresia, cholesteatoma (video)

February 25, 2021

Casey Dyke has been told he is a mended little miracle. With 12 surgeries for tricuspid atresia and cholesteatoma under his belt, he is now 16 years old and living his best life.

UC Davis School of Medicine scored a record year of NIH funding

February 23, 2021

In 2020, the UC Davis School of Medicine secured its highest-ever level of National Institutes of Health research funding at more than $181 million.

After bumpy start to life, Thea gets care she needs from UC Davis Health

February 22, 2021

Shortly after birth, Thea experienced trouble breathing. She was transferred to UC Davis Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Stickler Syndrome with Pierre Robin Sequence, two genetic disorders that can cause vision, hearing and joint problems, as well as a U-shaped cleft palate and breathing difficulties.

UC Davis Health ranks seventh in the nation for kidney transplants in 2020

February 22, 2021

Despite a pandemic and nationwide hospital capacity concerns, UC Davis Health’s kidney transplant team was among the top 10 busiest kidney transplant centers in the U.S last year.

Department of Surgery announces appointment of four new division chairs

February 18, 2021

The Department of Surgery announces four new division chair appointments, effective immediately. The organizational changes will advance state-of-the-art technologies, drive innovative surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes, and foster translational and patient centered research.

UC Davis surgery resident awarded grant to create palliative care curriculum

February 17, 2021

Surgical resident Jennifer Geiger has received a $30,000 research grant to devise a new curriculum that teaches residents how to better communicate with patients facing end-of-life decisions.

What you need to know about COVID-19 and heart disease

February 11, 2021

UC Davis Health Chief of Cardiac Surgery Bob Kiaii answers questions on heart disease, coronavirus, and patient care during the pandemic.

January 2021

Twelve COVID-19 treatments being tested at UC Davis School of Medicine

January 28, 2021

In the search for potential COVID-19 treatments, UC Davis School of Medicine is recruiting participants for more than 12 clinical trials.

Mixed reality goggles, 3D printing aid in surgical planning to separate craniopagus twins

January 4, 2021

The surgical team that separated conjoined twins Abigail and Micaela had access to equipment and technology that did not exist 10 years ago, including mixed reality imaging goggles that map out the brain and blood vessels and 3D printed models of the twins’ skulls as they prepared to successfully separate the two girls.

December 2020

‘Miracle babies’: Formerly conjoined twins Abigail and Micaela home for Christmas

December 24, 2020

Christmas came early for the Bachinskiy family today: formerly conjoined twins Abigail and Micaela were discharged from UC Davis Children’s Hospital and will be spending their first Christmas together at home. The 11-month-old craniopagus conjoined twins, born connected at the head, were separated in a 24-hour separation surgery.

Stem cells: A possible treatment for severe respiratory failure, a COVID-19 complication

December 21, 2020

UC Davis Health scientists joined a landmark multicenter clinical trial to test the ability of a type of stem cells to treat patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening lung injury.

UC Davis Health patient gets Northern California’s first robotic mitral valve repair

December 9, 2020

Kris Dyas is the first patient in Northern California to have robotic-assisted surgery to repair his leaky mitral heart valve.

November 2020

State stem cell agency funds clinical trial for spina bifida treatment

November 12, 2020

California’s stem cell agency awarded funding to UC Davis Health researchers for the first human clinical trial using stem cells to treat spina bifida.

Prominent cancer surgeon teaching techniques around the globe

November 9, 2020

The global reach of UC Davis expertise includes teaching cancer surgeries to top surgeons around the world – with audiences sometimes as large as 1,000 people.

October 2020

Rare set of conjoined twins successfully separated in 24-hour surgery at UC Davis Children’s Hospital

October 29, 2020

Nine-month-old conjoined twins Abigail and Micaela Bachinskiy are recovering at UC Davis Children’s Hospital after surgeons successfully separated them in a marathon surgery on Oct. 23 and 24.

LNU Lightning Complex fire survivor starts over

October 16, 2020

Jim Robinson has one word for anyone living near a wildfire: Leave. It's something he wishes he had done sooner.

Three-year-old patient with spina bifida walks, runs, thanks to fetal surgery (video)

October 13, 2020

Three years ago, Chloe MacCullough received the life-changing news that her unborn child had spina bifida. She thanks the team at the UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center for the surgery that changed her son’s life.

Patient gives thanks to team that saved her life, her baby and found her a home

October 6, 2020

Lakisha Carmon returned to UC Davis Medical Center today to present plaques and heartfelt appreciation to her team in Labor and Delivery.

September 2020

Thoracic surgeon honored with membership in elite organization

September 30, 2020

David Tom Cooke, head of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis Health, is one of 50 surgical educators inducted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.

Congenital heart patient receives continued care from heart nurse through the years

September 29, 2020

Born with only three functioning heart chambers instead of four, Amanda had health challenges from her very first day of life. But pediatric heart nurse Barb Goebel has helped shepherd her care into adulthood.

Can better planning increase preventive health screening?

September 25, 2020

A team of UC Davis physicians, surgeons and public health specialists hoping to increase the use of recommended health screenings and vaccines are conducting a study to see if better planning in the doctor’s office can help.

Spina bifida: Surgery plus stem cells before birth could improve outcomes (video)

September 24, 2020

A UC Davis Health fetal surgeon and a stem cell scientist have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to test a one-of-a-kind spina bifida treatment that combines surgery with stem cells.

Multiple surgeries at UC Davis Children’s Hospital save preemie’s life

September 24, 2020

Life-threatening condition is no match for Alfredo Moran-Arias and his UC Davis doctors.

7-year-old’s cancer diagnosis led her family to seek out UC Davis Children’s Hospital and Lor Randall

September 2, 2020

Lydia Alwan’s family wanted to save their daughter’s leg and her life.

August 2020

UC Davis surgeons on track to do record number of kidney transplants in 2020

August 31, 2020

Kidney transplants are on the rise at UC Davis Health due to the increased availability of organs.

Call for entries in the Donate Life Visual Arts Contest

August 27, 2020

Local high school artists are invited to enter a poster or video in the 2020 Donate Life Visual Arts Contest, sponsored by UC Davis Transplant Center and Sierra Donor Services.

UC Davis Children’s Hospital helps local boy with kidney disease hold onto hope

August 25, 2020

Justin Ramirez continues to look forward despite his failing kidney.

Surgical and engineering researcher wins national dialysis innovation award

August 17, 2020

Aijun Wang, a UC Davis associate professor of surgery and biomedical engineering, has been awarded a $500,000 grant to create the next generation of vascular grafts for dialysis patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Fetal interventions help baby with hydrops

August 7, 2020

Amanda Brazeal was pregnant for the second time. She expected an easy delivery. She could not have known that her baby would have hydrops, a life-threatening condition in which an abnormal amount of fluid builds up in the unborn child.

July 2020

U.S. News names UC Davis Medical Center among the nation’s best

July 28, 2020

U.S. News & World Report's rankings are out. UC Davis Medical Center is again the #1 hospital in Sacramento, and in the Top 10 in California -- distinctions it has earned for many years in a row.

Gastroschisis patient now a happy, healthy 2-year-old

July 24, 2020

Early in her pregnancy, Liz Curtis received the life-changing news that her baby had gastroschisis, a birth defect in which the intestines are outside of the body, due to a hole in the abdominal wall.

Quitline plus surgery are big motivators for giving up smoking

July 20, 2020

Smokers who had thoracic surgery were much more likely to stop using tobacco if they also completed a quitline intervention, a new UC Davis Health study shows.

Teen’s heart is still going strong thanks to UC Davis Children’s Hospital

July 16, 2020

UC Davis pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons gave Damian Del Rio a chance at a future.

UC Davis Children's Hospital gives local girl every opportunity to just be a kid

July 14, 2020

Isabella Lazzerini's two rare diagnoses warrant ongoing, specialized care but that doesn't stop her from enjoying life.

Burn center team braces for wildfire season

July 10, 2020

The number and intensity of Northern California wildfires trigger fear that there could be another one in 2020. Preparing for that possibility is a central mission of the Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center at UC Davis Medical Center.

Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis announces local 2020 champion

July 8, 2020

Isabella Lazzerini has been a patient at UC Davis Children's Hospital since she was three days old.

June 2020

UC Davis Vascular Center lab earns reaccreditation

June 24, 2020

The UC Davis Vascular Center’s lab has been reaccredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for vascular testing in extracranial cerebrovascular testing, peripheral venous testing, peripheral arterial testing and visceral vascular testing.

Second Breath redistributes medical supplies

June 19, 2020

When Andrew Li was training to be a surgeon at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, he launched Second Breath Now, as part of the faculty of the UC Davis Health Division of Plastic Surgery, he has brought Second Breath to the Sacramento region.

With the help of UC Davis Children’s Hospital, pediatric patient gets to celebrate turning nine years old

June 16, 2020

Every birthday is a milestone when you have cystic fibrosis.

UC Davis Medical Center surgery patient said he was treated like royalty

June 15, 2020

Alexander Estrada was referred to UC Davis Medical Center for surgery by a specialist through a partnership with Dignity Health and was thrilled with his outcome and his care.

UC Davis Vascular Center named a TCAR Center of Excellence

June 12, 2020

The UC Davis Vascular Center has been named a TCAR Center of Excellence for the high quality of its care team and patient outcomes for transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR).

Northern California hospital partnership saves local girl’s life

June 11, 2020

From Red Bluff to Redding to Sacramento, Harper Bruckenstein held on for dear life.

UC Davis Health offers game changing treatment for some liver tumors

June 10, 2020

UC Davis Health is offering an innovative treatment for liver tumors for patients who might not qualify for surgery.

Sepideh Gholami wins prestigious Young Investigator Award

June 10, 2020

UC Davis Health surgeon and researcher Sepideh Gholami was named the 2020 recipient of the Society of Surgical Oncologists’ grant for innovative ideas and concepts designed to improve patient cancer care.

Davis teen suffers ski injury, has successful surgery during COVID-19

June 5, 2020

Audrey Adamchak's love for the outdoors took her to Dartmouth, but a fall brought her back to UC Davis Health.

UC Davis Health adapting from lessons of telehealth

June 2, 2020

UC Davis Health adapted to telehealth at an unprecedented rate because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s using lessons learned to adapt for the future an even fuller experience for patients.

Prompt diagnosis, team surgery and intensive care save the life of landscape architect

June 2, 2020

Getting medical care right away when health conditions arise are essential despite coronavirus.

New grant brings advanced vascular care to small communities

June 1, 2020

The UC Davis Vascular Center has launched a telehealth initiative to improve assessments and care for patients who live in small communities and have lower-extremity ulcers due to peripheral artery disease or diabetes.

May 2020

Local girl's kindness rocks the UC Davis Health campus

May 22, 2020

Scarlett Bronner turned her passion for painting rocks into an inspiring way to show health care workers how much they are appreciated.

Diana Farmer receives APSNA’s Champion Award

May 21, 2020

Diana Farmer, chair of surgery at UC Davis Health and surgeon-in chief of UC Davis Children’s Hospital, has received the Champion Award by the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association (APSNA).

Life-saving care in the time of COVID-19

May 18, 2020

When she was diagnosed with adenosarcoma, a rare form of uterine cancer, she sought help from Gary Leiserowitz, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UC Davis Health.

UC Davis pediatric orthopaedic surgeon gives teen another chance at sports...and a future

May 13, 2020

Emma Voorhies' knee injury initially sidelined her, but thanks to UC Davis Children's Hospital, she can look forward to playing again.

Anonymous kidney donation is ultimate random act of kindness

May 12, 2020

Nancy Cabrellis donated her kidney anonymously not even knowing who would get it simply because she thought it could help someone. She was right.

Cancer patient puts her faith in UC Davis Health

May 1, 2020

Grace Parker's cancer surgery was scheduled in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. That did not dissuade her.

April 2020

UC Davis engineers, clinician develop low-cost, portable ventilator

April 29, 2020

UC Davis engineers and clinicians are working to create a simple, inexpensive ventilator. They have developed a prototype and plan to make plans freely available online. Versions could be inclinical use in about six months.

UC Davis Medical Center thanks contributors of protective equipment

April 28, 2020

Many companies and organizations stepped up to support UC Davis Medical Center with personal protective equipment, or PPE, donations for health care teams treating patients with COVID-19. Because of this generosity, together with carefully planned equipment purchasing, the medical center no longer needs PPE donations.

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